Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life. If you suspect that you are pregnant and you are feeling slightly nauseous, then you might want to know some of the early signs of pregnancy.
Cramping is usually one of the first signs that women experiences, but there are others that you should look out for. Keep reading to find out what are some early signs of pregnancy.
Some pregnant women who experience cramping in the first trimester usually panic because they think that it’s a sign of miscarriage.
However, you have nothing to worry about if you are having this symptom because cramping goes hand in hand with the early signs of pregnancy. In fact, it is a common occurrence and it’s normal to have cramps during pregnancy.
It is triggered when a fertilized embryo is implanted inside the inner uterine wall. The cramping also indicates that the uterus is making preparations to carry the embryo.
Let’ take a look at some of the other possible signs and symptoms that you can experience in the early stages of pregnancy.
What Are Some Early Signs of Pregnancy
Like some women, you might experience what is called implantation bleeding. This will happen when the embryo is embedded in the uterine wall. You can know this if you see a pinkish discharge that is called spotting.
Increase in basal body temperature is another early sign of pregnancy. The basal body temperature usually increases after ovulation, and its persist rise for more than two weeks indicates pregnancy.
Swollen and tender breasts are some of the earliest pregnancy signs. You could experience a sore feeling around the areola.
A feeling of nausea that is accompanied by vomiting is another common sign. If you are pregnant, you might also notice that you have a craving or an aversion for certain foods.
Dizziness and fainting spells are common occurrences as well. You experience this when the blood vessels dilate to cause a drop in your blood pressure. These symptoms are also accompanied by mild to a severe headache at times.
Constipation is another early sign and this is caused by increased levels of estrogen [1][2][3]. This hormonal increase causes food to pass through the large intestine slowly after digestion.
Bear in mind that intensive cramping can be one of the early signs as well as an indication that you have ectopic pregnancy.
This type of pregnancy occurs when the fetus is growing outside of the uterus. If this is the case, you have to pay attention to the changes and consult your doctor to avoid unwanted complications.
Shortness of breath may be something you’ll experience, even if you are fairly athletic and energetic.
- Due to the increasing size of the uterus, the diaphragm – a respiratory muscle- cannot move downward to help fill the lungs with air.
- Progesterone is a respiratory stimulant, causing breathing to become faster.
- The hypervolemia increases the cardiac load in a pregnant woman, causing her to feel short of breath during later pregnancy. As your baby grows, being short of breath will become a common occurrence.
Fatigue may happen anytime during pregnancy, but it is most common during the early stages, what with your progesterone levels shooting through the roof. This causes you to feel sleepy and to have a high body temperature.
Frequent urination and incontinence are also signs of pregnancy. This is due to the increased amount of blood that your body pumps, causing your kidney to work twice as hard in dealing with fluids. The result is more fluid in your bladder that you need to get rid of. In some cases, you may even leak accidentally.
Breast changes are also tell-tale signs that you might be pregnant. Hormone changes can cause tenderness or swelling between the 4th and 6th week. Around the 11th week, your breast could be bigger. The area around your nipple may also become darker in color.
An aching head that results from changes in hormone is a sure sign that you’re pregnant. If you suspect that this is the case, remember to take PG-safe acetaminophen to deal with the pain instead of ibuprofen.
If your lower back is a little sore more frequently than before, it is possible that you are pregnant and the backache is a result of your ligaments loosening.
During pregnancy, progesterone levels are ordinarily high, which is necessary for the internal structures of your body to increase in size, including the ureters. It is also responsible for transforming your uterus to accommodate a full-term baby.
Food cravings or aversions and sensitivity to certain smells may also happen, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. Although there is little scientific evidence to back food aversions or smell sensitivity during the first trimester, research showed that there is a relationship between smells and pregnancy.
Heartburn may also occur during early pregnancy with hormones causing the valve between your esophagus and stomach to relax and allow acid to reflux back into the lower esophagus.
Since not all antacids are safe for pregnant women, you should talk to your doctor if you suspect your symptoms are due to changes in hormones.
Although some pregnancy symptoms may overlap with menstrual signs, you should try to differentiate one from the other, so you don’t put yourself and your baby at risk.
After knowing some early signs of pregnancy, you can start to eat healthy foods, take medications on time, get plenty of rest and visit your gynecologist to get a routine checkup to ensure a safe and smooth pregnancy.
References
I came on my period April the 8th me and my boyfriend had unprotected sex May 2 the next day I started spotting light pink then it was like I was on my period four about 4 days and for about a week now I feel bloated keep using the bathroom eating a lot, like I can’t get full and I’ve been having cramps and my stomach feels weird.
Hello there Letucia, if you think you might be pregnant, and you might be… given that you had unprotected sex, please take a pregnancy test.
I saw my period on the 3rd of April and it lasted for 9 days when am likely to see the next.
Hi there Terfa, see link below to help you with this:
https://womanjunction.com/
Hi all, my last period date was 18th january and it lasted for six days, I had unprotected sex on 31st and 2nd February.
Few Days later I had gastric problems, feeling tired , backache and constipation and since today morning I’m having stomach cramps.
Can I be pregnant? My breast are normal.
Hello there Misbah, pregnancy symptoms should not necessarily be seen so soon. However to confirm if you are, take a pregnancy test.
I’ve been trying to get pregnant since August. I’ve had regular unprotected sex. I was due to start my monthly on the 14th and have it end 6 days ago. My nipples are incredibly tender and have been for about three days. My stomach is achy and my back is sore. Only in the last few hours I’ve begun to think I’m nauseas as well. My period is normally clock work but time has come and past with an extra six days and still no period. I’m nervous to waste a test when it’s highly unlikely that I’m even pregnant. Is it all in my mind or is there a chance I might be pregnant?
Hi Cassie, if you are getting pregnancy like symptoms, then there is no harm in testing whether you actually are pregnant or not. You should take a test on the 14th day after your missed period. Best of Luck dear.
I had my menses on 16 April and may I had it on 14. What date will be next menses pls help me
Hi, Please follow this link: http://womanjunction.com/ for your answer.
Hi so I had unprotected sex on April 26 and I had my period on April 10 -15. I’ve been feeling some nausea and cravings, but I took a pregnancy test and came out negative. I just started my period but its very light and pinkish in color – not a heavy flow. Is it possible that I am still pregnant or no? Please help very confused.
pls what are the sicknesses that occur during pregnancy
My period sent off the 28 of march, had sex the 3, 5. went to hospital on the 8th for low blood they did a urine test on me. The 9th it said negative but for the last 3 days my titties have been sore, back been hurting, stomach cramping, feel like my whole body changing. I was told I might need to get a blood test done, I’m tired of feeling like this, these 3 days have been hell on wheels and started feeling nausea today. I haven’t felt like this in years some say my period might about to come on but when it’s time for my period I don’t ever feel like my body changing
Hi, I had my period from March 24 to the 29 and I had sex on the 30th – unprotected. Now, this week my breasts are sore and tender. Could this be an early sign or should I just wait to see if they stop hurting?
Yes, wait to see if the symptoms will continue or if the soreness will subside.
I had an unprotected sex during 2nd day of my period n i usually have 28 days cycle. Is it posdible dat i will be pregnant??
Hi Dora, unprotected sex on any day might result in pregnancy. Wait till your period date in March and if you miss it by more than a week, please take a pregnancy test.
Hi,. I’ve been trying to get pregnant for months. My period was due on the 20th and I haven’t had any symptoms. I have lower backache, cramping, aching nippples. I’m wondering if it’s just delayed or if I’m pregnant. I’m really trying to not get excited.
Hi Somikazi,
If you have not got your period yet, you should take a pregnancy test. BUT, remember that the bachache and other signs might be due to some other reason too, so please don’t get all your hopes tied to this one. Wish you all the best!
Hi. I’ve been trying to get pregnant for months. My period was due on the 20th and I haven’t had any symptoms. No backache no cramping nothing to say my period is coming. I haven’t done anything out of the norm but I’m wondering if it’s just delayed or if I’m pregnant. I’m really trying to not get excited.
Wait a few more days to see if it will come. If it doesn’t show within 7 days you can take a pregnancy test to confirm.
Hi pls tell me,i had my period 15th of feb 2016 and am suppose to see it on the 14th of march but i haven’t. and I am on typhod medication. pls does it mean I am pregnant?
Hello Emily. If you are having unprotected sex there is a chance of pregnancy, A strong dose of antibiotics can also delay a period. You should consult with your doctor.
Hello I had my period on the 14 of February to the 18 and I had sex with my husband on the 21 February and 11 of march up till the 16 march. I have not seen my period. could I be pregnant
Hi all gorgeous ladies
I had my period on 26th feb 2016..i want to get preggy with my second one..so after monitoring my cm and ovulation i had intercourse with my hubby on my fertile days,i.e, 6th and 8th march..from march 13th i am feeling a lot of discomfort due to vaginal itching.also i m constipated these days and there’s runny nose and sneeze on n off..could i be pregnant? Anyone out there who has felt the same when pregnant? Kindly throw some light dearies..i am still 12 days due for my period..tia 🙂
Hi Rashmi, these might be due to pregnancy, but please don’t get all your hopes tied up to it, as sometimes it may be for different reasons as well. Wish you all the best!
Hi. Steffy could you please im a little confuse?
I had my period August 29th through September 4th, so that means my ovulation time wpuld be between September 10th -12th right? And then i had sex on September 6th do you thinkg there is a posibility that i could of gotten pregnant? I am a regular when it comes to my menstrual cycle and i have an app that helps me keep track of it. My cycles are 28 days. I haven’t missed any of my periods i had my last one on February 16th and im expecting my next menstrual cycle on March 15th.
Hi Caro, if you had unprotected sex, there is always an chance of pregnancy, even on days other than most fertile period (Remember, the most fertile period doesn’ mean that pregnancy is not possible other days are not). Wait till 15th march and then see if you get your period on time. Also, are you feeling anything different than usual in anyway? All the best!